Of dads, dollars and (avoiding) dumps

Determining our share of the $9.8 billion retail gurus estimated Americans would spend on Father’s Day gifts likely determined whether the obligatory tie came from Armani or Acme.

Yes, it all comes down to our budget, our bottom line, our threshold whereupon we go from black to (ulp) red.

Dad is worth a bit of scrimping, of course. Sadly, we can’t say the same for other areas of our budget. Of course, the definition of essential differs from house to house and, let’s be honest, from spouse to spouse.

On a larger spreadsheet, the city of Corpus Christi also is feeling the pinch. Asking folks where we should cut back is a little like discussing term limits. Everyone thinks they are wonderful for politicians they don’t like. So, please cut all this waste. Just not in my pet area.

Suggestions for keeping the city coffers in check included the usual whipping boys: consultants, the economic development office and, my favorite, recycling.

Last time I got on my (repurposed) recycling soapbox, I started to say something I decided was too obnoxious. The line wound up on the cutting-room floor. But hey, we’re all trying to go green, and I think the point is ripe for the picking.

See, when we talk about recycling, we start hearing only 16 percent of residents use the program. Thus, the naysayers’ argument goes, we should eliminate it.

Except here’s the flaw in that trash-talk logic: According to the U.S. Census Bureau, just under 19 percent of Nueces County residents have a college degree. Gosh, guess we should close the university; after all, no one is using it. Ridiculous? Exactly.

One proposed compromise calls for replacing curbside service with recycling drop-off sites. Because goodness knows we moms need to cram more stuff in the car and add more errands to our list. Thanks from the bottom of my heart, er, trunk, which now stinks because someone didn’t rinse the milk jug before tossing it in the bin.

Not to mention reverting to putting perfectly recyclable materials in the trash is a giant leap backward in our effort to nudge our stubborn community forward. Which is exactly what Mayor Joe Adame mentioned Tuesday while some council members were jumping on the waffle wagon.

“If you’re not recycling, you’re a dinosaur city,” Adame said. “I’m going to support it to the bitter end.”

If it’s like any of our previous, petty squabbles, we know it’s going to be plenty bitter.

As for dinosaurs, I feel like I need a stegosaurus suit every time I stop a trying-to-be-helpful houseguest on their way to the recycling bin. No, we really don’t recycle glass. Yes, we really wait two weeks before our overflowing bins are emptied. Yes, we behave this way just steps from fragile, natural habitats in the nation’s birdiest locale.

Balancing any size budget is an exercise in delicate decisions. We all want to conserve resources without, ahem, trashing them.

Which brings me back to those Father’s Day gifts. Please recycle or reuse the gift box. And if you don’t like the tie, perhaps you can re-gift it.